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[HakuroDK]

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Sorry, I was speaking out of anger and frustration and forgot my civilities when I posted all of that.

On the cash shop are items that do not affect gameplay. By popular opinion (gauged by forum interest), the two most popular items on the cash shop are fantasia and the Sleipnir mount.

Optional content can be defined as content that is not required to progress. The primary goal of this game is to accrue better and better gear in accordance with the stat system currently implemented. Things like roleplaying (speaking as a roleplayer myself) are ultimately secondary to the game's purpose. That is not to say roleplaying is bad, but it is not the primary focus. A game where roleplaying would be the primary focus and gameplay would be secondary (or, at least, should be) would be in something like a tabletop RPG or a LARP.

Because gameplay is the primary focus of this game in accordance with its developers and its majority playerbase, anything that does not alter gameplay and is not required to access more gameplay can well be considered optional.

I am fine with paying extra for certain features as long as they do not cause game balance to tip in favor of the wealthy player. A costume, while may make a player look more unique wearing a cash shop item, would not cause any gameplay advantages.

The whole idea of a premium marriage package, so long as all the premium marriage package gets is a nicer aesthetic package of items than the standard (meaning all the items are prettier and/or all additional items are purely aesthetic), I'm fine with that because it still adheres to the idea of aesthetic-exclusive content.

All of this automatic rage at anything cash shop because of double-dipping is extremely off-putting. Maybe if that section of the community would be more civil and diplomatic about these things, I'd consider being more neutral. But right now, where there's too much yelling and screaming about this as if they're peasants crying out for the heads of the aristocracy, I feel very uncomfortable associating with those types of people. Especially when it's those same types of behaviors that attack gun control laws and women in the video game industry and the gaming community. It's virulent, it's toxic, and I want no part of it. Nothing has been solved by breaking out the torches and pitchforks (ask Frankenstein's Monster!), and yet that seems to be everyone's immediate reaction when something happens they don't like.

You want me to oppose the cash shop? Two things need to happen.

First, there needs to be a single clear violation of the aesthetics-only decree in regards to the cash shop or paid services as of the first day of patch 2.4, which involves an item or service being introduced that gives a clear advantage to gameplay by way of an item that increases stats beyond items of its item level that are not meant for flavor (i.e. the earrings which have +1 Resistance of some form) or have a special ability that gives players an unfair advantage (i.e. the Helm of Light/Moogle Cap which grants an EXP boost for classes under Level 10 or the Hermes Sandals which double Sprint duration in city-states).

Second, everyone already fighting this fight needs to show some civility by focusing exclusively on the service. Not FFXIV, not the Community Reps, not the Developers, not Yoshi-P. If you don't like FFXIV, you should not be playing FFXIV and you should not be on these forums. To be here when you have a clear dislike for FFXIV is foolish and self-destructive behavior.

Also, minor fun fact: I have not spent a cent on the cash shop and do not intend to spend any money on the premium marriage system, and until I hear news that changes my mind about either, I will continue to defend their continued existence as an option for players who wish to use them.